Broken Souls and Bones by LJ Andrew: A Viking-Inspired Romantasy Full of Magic, Betrayal, and Slow-Burn Love

A slow-burn romance and a morally gray hero anchor this tale of betrayal and bone-deep power.

Synopsis

Together they’ll restore a divided kingdom—or burn it down—in this new romantasy from USA Today bestselling author and TikTok sensation LJ Andrews.

Lyra Bien intended to live a quiet life to avoid the attention of the magic-obsessed king in the fortress of Stonegate. Until Roark Ashwood—the prince’s silent guard and rumored killer for the crown—invades her village and uncovers the truth behind the silver scars in her eyes. To save her best friend from death, she’s forced to reveal her abilities, and is immediately claimed by the crown as the next melder.

To be the King’s melder is to be revered and feared in equal measures, but above all it is a slow death sentence. Lyra is determined to find a way to free herself and her friends from bondage. But first she must get more information from the silent, brooding sentry who first took her captive: Roark.

As Lyra gets closer to Roark, she soon learns he’s nothing like she assumed—and in fact everything she needs. The more they work as allies, the harder it becomes to ignore the growing passion between them. After a sinister truth is revealed, Roark and Lyra must choose to stand against all they know, or accept their dark destiny.

Review

4 stars

Broken Souls and Bones is a thrilling romantasy inspired by Viking mythology, where the heroine finds herself irresistibly drawn to the villain.

Set against a backdrop of magic—bone, soul, or blood magic—and the legends of Gods and power-hungry men, nothing is as it seems, and unexpected twists await the reader.

We follow Lyra, an orphan with a mysterious past, who hides her magic from the world. Raised with Kael, the Jarl’s rejected son, she leads a simple life as a servant until the Sentry, the King’s elite killer, is sent to capture her forcefully.

Lyra is a melder, a rare and coveted craft, and is compelled to serve the king, building him an army of Berserkers—fearsome warriors enhanced with bone magic.

Though she fears her craft and the price it demands, Lyra is thrust into the king’s service, where she unexpectedly finds friends among the palace and is irresistibly drawn to her captor turned protector: the aloof and dark Sentry, known as Roark.

Prepare for a tale filled with classic romantasy elements:

• a slow burn romance;
• falling for the villain;
• a declaration of love so fierce it could destroy the world;
• a found family;
• magic;
• shocking surprises and betrayals;
• greed and corruption.

Broken Souls and Bones was an easy read, even though it took me a week to finish, thanks to my holiday travels. Despite the story’s captivating ingredients, I found it easy to put down, which is puzzling! Still, it’s a worthy tale that many will likely adore, and I highly recommend it if you love these tropes.

Be warned, it’s the first book in a series and ends on a cliffhanger!

Thanks for reading.

Sophie